Device for applying adhesive to envelope blanks or the like



Dec. 12, 1933. R, A NELSQN 1,939,359

DEVICE FOR APPLYING ADHESIVE TO ENVELOPE BLANKS OR THE LIKE Filed April 28, 1931 ur-gggglgggmlmlll-F-lllllllllll-l-Ii mlll IMIMIIM llllll w WM5/vm?.- ,er/1, Naso/v A Trae/vfys afs Patented Dec. v12, 19733 i nevica Foa ArPLriNG vADHESIVE To `ENvELoPE BLANKS on 'ma LIKE .Robert A. Nelson, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor toV T he Standard Envelope Manufacturing Com pany, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Applieantn April 2s, 1931. seria1N0.533,4s1

` s claims. (c1. r:as-s3) The invention refers to a device for applying adhesive to certain portions of yanenvelope blank or the like and has, as its general aim, the provisionof a new and improved device of this character which is simplein sonstruction, is'capable of being easily and quickly adjusted, and which may, if desired, be provided as an attachment for existing machines. AIn prior devices vof this nature, it has been customary to apply adhesive to envelope blanks by means-of a train of-rolls arranged` to run in contact WithV another and to transfer, by `such contact, adhesive from'a supply reservoir to the blank. f

An object of the present inventionjis to provide a novel means for applying adhesive, which embodies a single adhesive applying member arranged to transfer adhesive directly from a supply reservoir to the envelope blank.

More specifically stated, an object resides in the provision, in an envelope forming machine through Vwhich an envelope blank is conveyed, of an adhesive supply reservoir having a slot therein and a rotating disk-shaped applicator mounted with the periphery thereof extending 'through said slot and also disposed to engage an envelope blank being conveyed, means being provided for'adjusting the relationship of the `disk to the margins of said slot whereby to control the amount of adhesive carried from the reservoir by the disk-shaped applicator.

In conjunctionwith the'foregoing, another object'is to provide means for intermittently interrupting the application'of adhesive in order to synchronize the operation of the applying de- 1 vice with the spacingA of the envelope blanks.

- -Another object'of the invention is Vto provideY a new and improved reservoir for supplying adheslve, which reservoir embodies means for maintainingthe adhesive in the reservoir at a predetermined level.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following description and from the accompanying drawing, in which: g

Figure l is a fragmentary planview of a portion of an envelope forming' machine i1lustrating an adhesivejV applying deviceembodying the features of the invention.` y

Fig. 2 is alvertical longitudinal section ofthe machine taken substantially along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1'.

Fig- 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along-the line 3,-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary-transverse section taken along the line 4-4-4 of Fig. 2 andillustrating the relationship ofthe applicator and adhesive reservoir. Y A l While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and Aalternative constructions, I have shown in the drawing and will herein describe in'detail thepreferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions faling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In describing the present invention, I have chosen'merely for illustrative purposes to show the invention as being inoperative association with a Well-known type of envelope folding machine, only parts of which appear in the drawing; One type of envelope, which may be formed by this machine, is designated A (Fig. 1)Y and is oneV inV which ya central longitudinally extending seam 10 is rst formed by folding andsecuring side flaps together in overlapping relation, and subsequently folding and securing an end flap 1l iii-overlapping relation to the side aps.

The operative parts of the envelope forming machine, with which the present inventionY is associated, comprises generally (see Figs. 1 and 2) feed rolls l2 which deliver a succession of properly spaced envelope blanks A from certain operative mechanisms (not shown) into a conveyer which is arranged to carry the envelope blank past the gumming mechanism. Only Vone part of the conveyer is shown herein, and this part comprises a pair of endless belts 13 arranged to travel about a pair of vertically alinecl sheaves 14 so positioned that adjacent runs of theY belt are opposed and are in abutment. The blanks are fed between the labutting portions of the belts 13 by the rolls 12 and the arrangement is suchV (see Fig. 1) that the end flap 11 of the blank projects laterally beyond the belts 13.

The means for applying adhesive to the end flap 11 so that said flap may ultimately be secured in overlapping relation to the previously' folded andl secured side flaps, comprises, in the preferred form thereof, a disk 15 which is mounted for ro-V tation with a shaft 16 disposed, in the machine, to extend transversely of the direction of travel of the conveyer beltsl 13' above saidrbelts. The thickness ofthe disk l5 is equal to the width of thev adhesive strip to be applied and its position on the shaft 1'6 is such that the disk will engage or-run in contact with a marginal portion of the end flap of an envelope blank moving with the conveyer .belts 13.

At the side of the' disk, toward which the en-V velope blanks move, is a reservoir 17 for containing a supply of adhesive. As herein shown, the reservoir is `in the form of an elongated, rec-` tangular shaped, open-topped Y container having bottom and side walls 18 and 19, respectively. The sidewall of the reservoir adjacent the disk has a vertically extending slot 20 (Figs. 3 and 4) therein through which a peripheral portion of the disk 15 may extend in order to become coated with the adhesive which it subsequently soy loc

transfers and applies to the end flap of the blank. Means is providedfor mounting the reservoir 17 in adjustable association with the disk 15,

' whereby the extent of projection of the disk into .the slot 20 may be denitely and accurately adwhereby only a required -amount of adhesive will be carried from the reservoir and delivered to the blank by the disk. To this end, a portion of the side wall 19, in which the slot 20 is located, extends upwardly as at 21 (Figs. 2 and 4), which extending portion carries a lateral flange 22 having an upwardly opening semi-,cylindrical recess 23 therein.

arcuate member 24, which presents a semicylindrical recess Y25 formed asl the complement of the recess 23, is arranged to be secured to the flange 22 and to the projecting portion 21 of the side wall to provide, with the iiange 22, av cylindrically shaped collar adapted to encircle the shaftl. The disk 15 is mounted on the shaft 16 by means of an axially extending hub 26 which is keyed to the shaftl and lieswthin the annularcollar on the reservoir. A sleeve 27, havingan eccentrically disposed bore therein, is interposed betweenthe collar on thereservoir and the hub 26 on the disk. Y

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that, when the parts are assembled with a peripheral portion of the disk extending into the reservoir through the slot`.20, a slight rotative movement impartedt'o the eccentric sleeve 27 will effect a relative movement of the disk and reservoir toward and away from each other. Or, in other words, the reservoir is radially pulled toward o r pushed away from the peripheral face of the disk. This movement adjusts the clearance between the peripheral face of the disk bottomof the slot 2O..` A hand lever 28, secured to the eccentric sleeve 27, facilitates adjusting movement of the-sleeve and a quickly releasable means, such as a set screw 28a, or the like, yis

preferably4 employed to secure the collar and sleeve rigidly together and thus maintainV the parts positively' in any position of adjustment.

"-Ihefwidth of the slot 20V ispreferably somewhat greater than the thicknessiof the disk 15, to permit disks of Ydifferent thicknesses to be replaceably employed, and means are provided for adjusting the width of the slot to the exact width of the disk inorder that. adhesive in the reservoir will notbe carried therefrom upon the sides of the disk. With reference to Fig. 4, 29 indicates a small plate which is secured Yto the side of the reservoir and extends along and adjacent one side of the slot.- The plate 29 has one side thereof disposed at an angle tothe sides of the slot.v Interposed between the plate 29 and the adjacent side of the disk 15v is a second plate 30 having one flat side arranged to abutv the side of Vthe disk and having an opposedangular side arranged to abutand complement the angularly disposed side ofthe plate 29. The plate 30 is mounted on `the side wall for vertical Vsliding adjustment in any suitable manner, as-by means of a screw and elongated slot connection 31. In

assembling or` adjusting the parts, the disk is mounted on the shaft 16 in such manner that one side of the disk 15 abuts androtates in snug wiping contact with one side o f the slot 20. The plate 30 is thenadjusted snuglyv to abut the opposite side of the disk 15. Consequently, during 'the flange 22 on the reservoir.

1 5 and thev Vtion of adhesive tothe flap. One form of such means is'shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and comprises a flat plate 32 positioned in underlying relation to the disk 15. Preferably, the plate 32 is supported by means of an arm'33 depending from .An elongated slot and screw connection 38a preferably connects the'parts thereby allowing adjustment of the plate 32 toward and away from the adjacent portion ofthe disk. The plate 32, when adjusted, is spaced from said adjacent portion substantially the thickness of the material from which the envelope blank is formed. v Preferably, the plate has an elongated recess or aperture 34 (Figs. 3 and 4) therein, which is. opposed to the disk. This recess or aperture prevents adhesive from beingV transferred to the guide plate 32 during the interval between successive blanks.

It is contemplated that on occasions it may be desirable to interrupt the application of adhesive to certain portions of the blank bythe disk. Such an occasion arises, for example, when,in order to avoid undesirable spreading or smearing of the adhesive, it becomes advantageous to leave short portions of the blank adjacent the leading and trailing edges of the blank uncoated. In4 this event, an insert member such as a plug 35 or the like, of suitable length is mounted in an appropriate recess formed in the margin ofthe disk. The plug projects'beyond the periphery of the disk a distance which should be almost exactly equal to the depth of the clearance between the periphery vof the disk and the bottom of the slot 20. Consequently, when the insert 35 passes throughthe slot, the slot willfbe entirelyclosed and no adhesive will be carried from the reservoir upon the'v insert 35.

isl applied to the blank for av space equal to onehalf the length of the insert. A s the blank subsequently passes the disk,y adhesive is applied thereto until the insert again comes into engagevment with the blank,V this time at the trailing edg'efthereof tol leave a secondungummedfspace on the blank. Obviously, theY distance or space between adjacent blanks must be predetermined so that each blank is properly engaged by the insert. AIt may be mentioned in passing that the disk maybe replaced by another ofdiiferent diameter. when the machine is readjusted to operate upon a blankof a diiferent size.

The end of the reservoir opposite the shaftencircling collar may be supported in place, in any suitable manner, which permits the reservoir to be freely adjusted relative to the disk. Thus, a bar 36 is secured to the side wall of the reservoir to extend upwardly therefrom and the bar has a laterally turned portion 37 at its upper end-arranged to overlie and rest upona transverse supporting rod 38 rigid with the machine.

Means are preferably provided for constantly maintaining the level of theradhesive in the reservoir at a predetermined point. One form of such means comprises a bottle 39 or similar receptacle arranged to be held in inverted relationship to the reservoir by means of a stationary bottle-receiving collary 40 carried by the bar 36 and a second collar 41 encircling the bottle 39 and adjustable longitudinally thereof. The collar 41 is, in practice, secured on the bottle 39 in such position that, when the collars 40 and 41 are abutting, the mouth of the bottle is located within the reservoirat approximately the desired level of adhesive. When adhesive is withdrawn from the reservoir below the mouth of the bottle, additional adhesive will flow from the bottle until the desired level is reestablished. It will be obvious that the level may be easily relocated at any desired point and that the bottle may be readily withdrawn from the supporting collar 40 in order to replenish the reserve supply of adhesive.

The shaft 16 may be driven from any suitable source of power, as for example, by means of an endless chain 42 (Fig. 1) which passes about a sprocket 43 on the shaft 16 and about a drive sprocket 44 rigid with a shaft 45 by which the upper one of the conveyer sheaves 14 is driven.

The device, of course, must first be adjusted for operation upon a blank of a particular size. Thus, a disk of proper width and circumference is mounted on the shaft 16 and is so positioned with respect to the conveyer belts 13 as to properly apply a strip of adhesive to a blank being conveyed thereby. The wiping contact of the side of the disk and one side of the reservoir slot is established, after which the plate 30 is adjusted to the opposite side of the disk. Movement of the hand lever 28 rotates the eccentric sleeve 27 to produce a proper clearance between the periphery of the disk and the bottom of the slot 20 so that the correct amount of adhesive will be withdrawn from the reservoir upon the periphery of the disk. The movement of the blanks into engagement with the disk is synchronized with the rotation of the disk and the device is ready for operation. Y

In operation, as each blank engages the disk, a strip of adhesive is applied along the bottom edge of the end flap which strip may be continuous from one side to the other. However, when an insert member 35 is used, the applied adhesive strip will stop short of both side edges. After the adhesive has been applied, the blank is delivered to subsequently operated mechanisms which fold the end iiap over onto the side flaps and press the flap thereagainst to complete the envelope. When one or more blanks in the succession are missing, the slot in the guide plate 32 allows the disk to rotate freely Without depositing adhesive.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a novel device has been provided for the purpose set forth which is simple, may be easily and very accurately adjusted. The device may also be quickly adapted for operation on envelope blanks of different sizes. That is to say, by merely withdrawing one end of the shaft 16 from its bearing, the disk 15 may be replaced by another of different size. This simple arrangement, when coupled with the compact structure by which the reservoir is supported and adjusted, further permits the entire assembly to be incorporated in or removed from an existing-machine as a unitary attachment.

A further and importantadvantage resides in the use of the single adhesive conveying and applying disk which eliminates the many close adjustments necessary in prior gumming devices employing a train of transfer rolls. Moreover,` Wear of the parts, which is a disadvantage inherent in a train of rolls, is practically prevented.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of an adhesive container having a slotted side, a rotatable disk extending in part throughv said slot and arranged to carry adhesive from the container for application to a blank, said disk having one side face in wiping contact With one side of said slot, means on said container adjustable into wiping engagement with the other side of said disk, and means for adjustably moving said container toward and away from the peripheral face of said disk.

2. In an envelope forming machine having means for conveying a blank through the machine, l the combination of a rotating member adapted to engage a blank, an adhesive supply reservoir having a slot therein through which said member extend, and an insert in said member arranged to engage the sides of said slot as said insert passes therethrough to prevent adhesive from being transferred upon said insert.

3. Incombination with an envelope forming machine having an axially movable shaft, a unitary adhesive applying device comprising an applicator disk having a hub adapted to slide over one end of the shaft, and an adhesive supply reservoir supported by said hub.

4. An adhesive applying device for an envelope forming machine or the like comprising, in combination, a container for adhesive having an aperture in one sidev thereof,'a disk journalled for rotation with a peripheral portion thereof extending through said aperture into contact with the adhesive, and means carried by the disk for wiping engagement with the margin'of said aperture to interrupt the transfer of adhesive-to the disk.

5. An adhesive applying device for an envelope forming machine or the like comprising, in combination, a container for adhesive having a slot in one side thereof, a rotatable disk extending in part through said slot and having a peripheral portion positioned to engage a blank, stationary means having a wiping contact with the opposite side faces of the disk to prevent adhesive from beingy carried from the container thereon, whereby adhesive may be carried from the reservoir only upon the periphery of the disk, and means carried by the disk and extending peripherally therefrom to closely fit said slot in its passage therethrough.

6. In an envelope forming machine having mean for conveying a blank through the machine, the combination of. a rotating member adapted to engage a blank, an adhesive supply reservoir having a slot therein through which said member extends, and an insert in said member arranged to engage the sides of said slot as said insert passes therethrough to prevent adhesive from being transferred upon said insert, said insert having a peripheral dimension at least as great as the distance between adjacent blanks to be treated. Y

ROBERT A. NELSON. 

